73-Year-Old Cancer Survivor and Widow Appeals to President, Seeks Permission to Sell Her Property in Chandigarh

73-Year-Old Cancer Survivor and Widow Appeals to President, Seeks Permission to Sell Her Property in Chandigarh

Restriction on sale of individual property shares affecting her treatment, financial security and ability to live with dignity

Chandigarh 31 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The issue of restrictions on the sale of individual shares in jointly owned properties in Chandigarh has now reached the President of India. Pooja Bharat Kapoor, a 73-year-old owner of House No. 1010, Sector 15-B, Chandigarh, has written to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention on humanitarian grounds. Pooja Bharat Kapoor, a cancer survivor, has stated in her letter that she continues to suffer from serious post-treatment health complications that have significantly restricted her physical mobility. Her husband has passed away, and she is facing financial difficulties in managing her medical treatment, personal care and maintaining a dignified standard of living.

According to the letter sent to the President, she acquired legal ownership of a specified share in House No. 1010, Sector 15-B, Chandigarh, through a registered sale deed in 2016. She maintains that the property was purchased before the Supreme Court's judgment dated January 10, 2023, and that her ownership had also been recognised by the Chandigarh Administration. She alleged that following the Supreme Court judgment of January 10, 2023, the Chandigarh Administration's public notice issued on February 9, 2023, has been interpreted in a manner that has effectively restricted the transfer of property shares to persons outside the family. As a result, she is unable to realise the market value of her legally purchased property.

Raising serious humanitarian concerns, Pooja Kapoor questioned how elderly citizens or individuals suffering from serious illnesses would arrange funds for their medical treatment and care if they were not allowed to sell their own property. She also raised concerns about the implications of these restrictions on property succession, inheritance, wills and gifting rights. She questioned what would happen to properties owned by individuals who have no legal heirs. She clarified that she does not oppose the objectives of protecting Chandigarh's heritage and preserving its original character. However, she only seeks an opportunity to exercise her legitimate ownership rights over a property that she had purchased much before the restrictions came into force.

In her letter, she claimed that despite pursuing the available legal remedies, she has not received any relief. She has urged the President to consider introducing special humanitarian provisions for senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities and property owners suffering from serious illnesses, enabling them to realise the value of their properties without compromising the objectives of heritage preservation. Copies of the representation have also been sent to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Chief Secretary, UT Chandigarh, Finance Secretary and Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer, Chandigarh.